The family car that's become a staple in many Australian driveways, the Kia Carnival, has recently been subject to an urgent recall notice that has left thousands of owners concerned.

The 2024 model of this famous people mover is at the heart of the issue, with a steering defect that could potentially put families at risk.


The recall notice, issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, specifies that the defect is related to the power steering.

A manufacturing fault within the wiring harness could lead to a loss of power-assisted steering, a critical feature for safely maneuvering such a sizable vehicle.

Considering Carnival's impressive sales figures—7,633 units sold in 2024 alone—this issue impacts a substantial portion of the vehicles on the road.


The Carnival's petrol and hybrid (HEV) versions across all variants are included in the recall.

The government notice details the technical aspects of the defect:

'The main wiring harness may come in contact with the steering column shaft and become damaged. This may result in the loss of power-assisted steering.'

‘Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing asking them to immediately schedule an appointment with their preferred Kia dealer to have the main wiring harness position adjusted or, if required, replaced, free of charge.’


The main wiring harness position at the dealership will be inspected and, if necessary, adjusted or replaced entirely, free of charge to the vehicle owner.

Suppose you haven't received a notice but suspect your vehicle could be affected.

In that case, you can also contact your local Kia dealer or visit the Kia Australia website to check if your vehicle identification number (VIN) is included in the recall.
How do you think this recall will change how people view Kia? What should manufacturers do to avoid problems like this in the future? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.